Camilla was looking and feeling quite different today, and I couldn't quite put my finger on what had changed. I guessed that she was just thrilled to be picking up Fidelia.
There was an unmistakable aura about her, a far cry from the ostrich with her head in the sand that I'd known before.
"Camilla, I'm genuinely happy to see you," I said after she finished exchanging pleasantries with the kids and approached her.
"Aaliyah, you've been such a gem. I didn't want to trouble you with driving Fidelia back and forth, so I decided to come get her myself. Needed a little break, and thought I'd pop by to visit your parents." Camilla's smile was so down-to-earth.
Her words were beyond reproach.
"I've never been to Silverdale City, and after seeing all the photos and videos Fidelia sent me, I just couldn't resist the urge. So, I took this chance to visit. I didn't give you a heads-up, hope I’m not intruding."
She finished with an awkward grin, nervously swallowing.
Hannah, hearing this, grabbed her things and left, clearly done with the conversation.
I kept my smile bright, "Camilla, please, you're always welcome here, though you've picked a bit of a tight time. School's starting in just a few days, and I wish you could stay longer."
After saying that, I gestured for her to follow, "Let's head back, and my mom's cooking knowing you're coming."
"How could I let her go to all that trouble?" she replied, reaching out to pick up Carl.
Carl shrugged off her hand, "No, I want Mommy to hold me."
She paused, looking at me with a hint of embarrassment. I quickly explained, "Carl had a bit of a scare recently, and now he's all clingy and doesn't want anyone else."
"What happened?" she asked, her face a picture of concern.
"We can talk about it later because he understands everything," I whispered, not wanting to discuss the matter in front of Carl.
Camilla nodded. "OK."
I got Carl down and took his hand, leading him gently because he was getting too heavy for me to carry.
As we walked and talked, I showed Camilla the sights of Oldtown Avenue.
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